Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Puzzle #713). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "XOXOXO"
What It Really Means
Today's puzzle celebrates Valentine's Day with affectionate gestures and terms of endearment. Look for words related to physical expressions of love and affection.
Think About...
- Physical displays of affection like hugs and kisses
- Terms for romantic or friendly embraces
- Different types of kisses and cuddles
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Zig zag pattern from top to bottom
Letter Count: 13 letters
Starting Zone: Fifth letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase represents the affectionate symbols in the theme prompt
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's what "XOXO" literally stands for in letters and cards
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is H, last letter is S
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HUGSANDKISSES
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A cozy, affectionate hold
Closer: What you do with a blanket on a cold night
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SNUGGLE
Word 2
Vague: A warm, loving hold
Closer: To hold someone close in your arms
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 7 letters total
Answer
EMBRACE
Word 3
Vague: A close, affectionate hold
Closer: What parents do with babies or couples do on the couch
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CUDDLE
Word 4
Vague: A type of kiss
Closer: A loud, enthusiastic kiss
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SMACK
Word 5
Vague: A quick, light kiss
Closer: What birds do or a brief kiss on the cheek
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PECK
Word 6
Vague: A romantic kiss
Closer: A passionate, lingering kiss
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SMOOCH
Full Answers
Spangram: HUGSANDKISSES
Theme Words:
- SNUGGLE
- EMBRACE
- CUDDLE
- SMACK
- PECK
- SMOOCH
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: SMACK (Some solvers might overlook this as a type of kiss, thinking of it only as a sound or action)
Our Take: A perfectly timed Valentine's Day puzzle with straightforward affectionate terms. The "XOXO" theme prompt was a clever nod to the holiday, and the spangram "HUGSANDKISSES" neatly encapsulates the theme. All words follow the affectionate gesture theme consistently, making this an accessible solve for players of all levels on a romantic Saturday.
